International Scholarships

Both current and incoming international students can research and explore all the scholarships they qualify for based on their program, background, and interests through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). Some scholarships at UW–Madison are awarded automatically, but others you will need to apply for through WiSH. Scholarships for incoming students generally open up in the fall and have application deadlines of February 1 or earlier.

We encourage you to apply for scholarships as soon as you have submitted your application and set up your NetID. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for more information regarding financial aid and scholarships at UW–Madison.

Please note that international students studying on an F-1 or J-1 student visa in the U.S. do not qualify for U.S. federal financial aid or Wisconsin state financial aid programs. Most international students are self-funded, receive assistance from family or community members, and/or seek out external scholarships.

For more information regarding funding, including current tuition costs and estimated living expenses, visit the International Student Services (ISS) Becoming a Global Badger webpage.

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King-Morgridge Scholars Program

The King-Morgridge Scholars Program is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship for enterprising, creative, dedicated students committed to applying their talents toward poverty alleviation. Selected for their community involvement, leadership, academic success, and commitment to alleviating poverty, King-Morgridge Scholars join us from secondary institutions around the globe.

Scholars receive a full-time, four-year/eight-semester scholarship to the University of Wisconsin–Madison that includes tuition and fees, room and board, health insurance, airfare, and a stipend for miscellaneous expenses. The scholarship is made possible through generous gifts by the King and Morgridge families.

Six students are admitted to the program annually.

Eligibility Criteria

King-Morgridge Scholar candidates must first apply for admission to the university as an undergraduate student through the fall Early Action process. The UW–Madison fall Early Action application deadline is November 1, and the separate King Morgridge scholarship application in WiSH is due by November 15. Only candidates who are admitted to UW–Madison in the Early Action review period will be eligible to receive the King Morgridge Scholarship.

To be eligible for the King-Morgridge Scholars Program, applicants must:

• Be an incoming first-year, undergraduate, bachelor’s degree-seeking student with no prior tertiary education at another institution
• Apply to UW–Madison Early Action and receive an admit decision in the Early Action review period
• Demonstrate a high level of financial need
• Demonstrate a commitment to poverty alleviation and community development
• Plan to return to their home country/region after graduation
• Have received a high school diploma or equivalent on or after November 1, 2023, or be in the final year of study with an expected completion date prior to August 1, 2027
• Earn a high school diploma or equivalent credential that meets UW–Madison admission requirements for first-year entry from an institution in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia (see below drop-downs for eligible countries)

Transfer students, graduate students, currently enrolled UW–Madison students, and students who have already completed a post-secondary degree are not eligible for the King-Morgridge Scholars Program. If you are a graduate applicant, you can find more information on admissions and funding opportunities through the Graduate School.

Application Process

Candidates must apply as a first-year student in fall the Early Action period and must meet all application and materials deadlines.

Candidates must also submit the separate King-Morgridge Scholars Program scholarship application found on the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). Both applications are required for full consideration.

Please plan to apply well in advance of the application deadline. Due to the large number of applications received for this program, we are unable to provide deadline extensions.

King-Morgridge Scholar applications receive a holistic review. Holistic review means that the scholarship committee takes into account an applicant’s school and community involvement, essays, the connection between degree interests and professional aims, and commitment to poverty alleviation and community development, and first generation status.

The King-Morgridge Scholarship application for Fall 2027 will open in WiSH by late August .

King-Morgridge Scholarship Application Deadline: November 15

Application Instructions:

1. Submit the UW–Madison undergraduate application and all required application materials by the fall Early Action deadlines.
2. Set up your NetID using your UW–Madison Campus ID number that will be sent to you via email within your application confirmation.
3. Log in to the WiSH portal using your NetID and password.
4. Answer a series of multiple-choice questions, which will create your opportunities list in WiSH.
5. Select the “King-Morgridge Scholars Program” opportunity.
6. Complete the King-Morgridge Scholars Program application, consisting of several short-answer questions to determine eligibility, as well as a 500–700 word essay, by November 15.

Scholarship decisions will be released by the end of March.

Questions about the application process? Please email kmscholars@admissions.wisc.edu.

Western Union Scholarship

This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of Western Union. Recipients of this scholarship will receive a one-time $1,000 award. Qualified applicants will be first-year international students from underrepresented countries in our current international student body.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Require an F-1 or J-1 visa to study at the university
• Be a citizen of an underrepresented country
• Seeking first undergraduate degree, applying as a first-year student
• Admitted for a fall term

This scholarship will be awarded to one international student per year. There is no separate scholarship application. Nominated students will be selected based on the content of their admissions application and contacted through email. The recipient will be selected at random.